Reframing Legal Language in Shari’ah-Based Drafting:

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Linguistic Architecture of Reform

Sharefah Almuhanna

Fatemah Albader

 

Abstract: This article investigates the linguistic dimensions of legislative drafting in Saudi Arabia in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. While scholarship on legislative reform in Islamic countries often focuses on institutional or policy aspects, limited attention has been given to the use of words and sentences. Saudi Arabia offers a valuable case for such analysis, as its contemporary laws attempt to harmonise Shari’ah (Islamic jurisprudence) with national modernisation goals. Accordingly, the article highlights how recent legislative texts demonstrate a sophisticated awareness of language as a tool for preserving religious authenticity while enabling legal transformation. This approach reflects a shift in Islamic legal drafting, whereby modern instruments are carefully constructed to preserve religious authenticity while enabling legal transformation. Furthermore, the article draws comparisons between Saudi linguistic reforms and international legal drafting standards to demonstrate how local innovations align or diverge from global legal language trends. Therefore, the key research question is: How has legislative language in Saudi Arabia evolved under Vision 2030 to reconcile Islamic legal traditions with contemporary policy goals, and can strategic linguistic choices in Shari’ah-based legislation effectively support national reform objectives? By examining statutory materials, official translations, and legislative practices in Saudi Arabia, the article contributes to the study of Islamic law in contemporary governance, offering targeted recommendations for drafting reforms across the Islamic world.